As Arsenal prepare to play David Moyes’ Sunderland away at the Stadium of Light, Arsene Wenger’s charges will be coming into the game as favourites having won their last three away games in the league. They Gunners are also unbeaten against The Black Cats in the last nine games in all competitions making it look like an easy game on paper as Sunderland continue to struggle conceding goals at ease and not scoring enough as they lie 20th in the league table at the moment.

Arsenal have also drawn just once in their last six games in the league winning six straight games in the process which has made them joint leaders along with Manchester City although Pep Guardiola’s side are ahead on goal difference.

Wenger is expected to start the game with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation which has been been his style in recent years. In goal, former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to start as Colombian David Ospina returns to the bench having impressed in the win against Reading on Tuesday at the Emirates.

In defence, Wenger is expected to continue to play his tried and trusted Hector Bellerin as a right-back, Laurent Koscielny (captain) and Skhodran Mustafiin central defence with the Frenchman playing deep while the German plays higher considering his impressive ball playing ability, completing the defence will be Nacho Monreal who though has disappointed in games against Liverpool and Swansea is the club’s first choice left back.

In midfield, Francis Coquelin is expected to start in the middle of the park alongside Egyptian Mohammed El’Neny as Granit Xhaka sits out as a result of suspension (three match ban after seeing red against Swansea, should be the final game of his suspension having served two games already) and also Santi Cazorla missing as a result of a heel injury.

In the attack, Theo Walcott might have to sit out as a result of a hamstring injury making it likely Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will replace him on the right side of attack after scoring twice in the 2-0 win over Reading on Tuesday night (League Cup). Alex Iwobi should return to the left side of attack where he has assisted three goals already this season with Mesut Ozil playing in the No 10 which is the position Iwobi played in the game against Reading. To complete the attacking players, Chilean Alexis Sanchez will start in attack as he continues his early season form against a poor Sunderland defence.

Arsenal’s recent injury problems continued this week as Lucas Perez is out for six weeks as a result of an ankle injury, Aaron Ramsey not match fit, Chuba Akpom back injury and out for 2016 coupled with long term injury players Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker, although the return of right back, Carl Jenkinson who played against Reading is the only good news.